MORE than 2000 people are expected to enjoy fine wine, fashion and racing at the Mount Barker Cooperative Mt Barker Grapes & Gallops at Frost Park in Western Australia on Sunday, January 20, 2013.

Grapes & Gallops is the biggest event on the Mount Barker Turf Club's calendar. This exciting race day features a 9-race program and includes the Great Southern's richest race, the $90,000 Mungrup Stud Sprint over 1000 metres.

Grapes & Gallops chairperson Kim Tyrer said the event was a celebration of the region's premium wine, gourmet food, combined with fashion and horse racing.

“It is a fantastic community event with the atmosphere of a good old-fashioned country race day,” Ms Tyrer said.

Under the big tent, racegoers will be able to sample wines from nine Mt Barker producers including Arcadia, Galafrey, Gilberts, West Cape Howe, Three Drops, Plantagenet Wines, Hawkers Ridge and Chatsfield. These wines will also be the perfect accompaniment to a gala three-course luncheon.

A highlight of the day will be the annual fashions on the field with prizes awarded to the best dressed filly and colt. Families will also been catered for with entertainment provided for children.

A range of regional produce will be available including fresh cherries and strawberries, French pastries, local cheeses, stuffed spuds, gourmet pizzas and freshly shucked Albany oysters.

“Get dressed up, find a fabulous hat, come along and try a glass of award-winning wine, some delicious gourmet food and enjoy a great day of country horse racing,” she said.

Action on the day starts at noon until 8pm at Frost Park, McDonald Avenue, Mt Barker. Entry is $20 for adults and $10 concession with children under 18 free. While this is a family event it is also a licensed area and children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Mungrup Stud is the State’s biggest thoroughbred stud with a large annual draft of well credentialed yearlings offered at the Magic Millions Sale at Belmont in February. Situated south of Mt Barker, Mungrup Stud is owned and managed by Gray and Jan Williamson whose family has a long history of involvement in racing and breeding industry in Western Australia.

Bookings are currently being taken for the luncheon, and table and chairs for the day. Corporate tents are also available. Buses are available between Albany and Mt Barker contact Busy Blue Bus for details on (08) 9846 4757.

For more information go to. For bookings and enquiries phone 0481 112 559 or email info@grapesandgallops.com

TWO innovative regional agricultural businesses have come up with a winning formula to help grain growers achieve higher returns.Wheat Load Arbitrager and GrainXchange are now working together to help grain growers navigate the maze of when and what to sell to the market.Developed by agricultural consultant Rod Grieve, the Wheat Load Arbitrager tells growers the best combination of loads to deliver against contracts (pools and cash) to maximise returns.While agricultural brokering business Eyre Peninsula Integrated Commodities (EPIC), designed and owned by Chris and Tracey Lehmann, have created GrainXchange - a platform that introduces grain buyers to sellers.According to Mr Grieve, the Wheat Load Arbitrager is a specialised computer program that identifies the highest prices for each load of wheat.“The Wheat Load Arbitrager systematically calculates and identifies the most profitable combination of loads to deliver against your contracts and pool choices to maximise your total harvest income,” Mr Grieve said.“The program can typically improve returns by $5-$8/t by finding the best loads to deliver against contracts.“By teaming up with EPIC not only do growers get prices every day on which business decisions can be made but they can also benefit from getting their load allocations completed as well.”The Wheat Load Arbitrager is now available through EPIC’s GrainXchange.“Simply provide EPIC with your contract details and ezigrain reports to run through the program,” EPIC’s Tracey Lehmann said.“You will then receive a report that tells you exactly which loads to transfer to each contract. If you have any uncommitted grain the program will also give the best options to maximise your returns.”“This is a great opportunity to take control and beat the marketers at their own game,” Mr Grieve said.To find out more see Arbitrager at the Eyre Peninsula Field Days in South Australia from August 7-9, 2012.For more information about Arbitrager contact Rod Grieve on Phone: (08) 9842 1267, Mobile: 0428 421 267 or visit http://arbitrager.com.au/For more information about EPIC contact Tracey Lehmann on Phone (08) 8627 2304 or visit http://www.epicommodities.com.au/

From Morocco and Spain, to Turkey and Tunisia, and now Denmark, Western Australia.

Western Australia’s first Hamam (Turkish bath) has just opened at Denmark’s exclusive boutique lodge Chimes Spa Retreat.

According to Michelle Randle of Chimes Spa Retreat, there has already been an overwhelmingly positive response from South Coast residents to this new day spa service, and it is sure to be popular with visitors to the region.

Hamam is an Arabic word meaning 'spreader of warmth'.

“The universal appeal of the authentic luxurious treatment of the Hamam is the sense of community, social networking, friendship and relaxation that it creates – and the fact you can enjoy the three baths - the cold plunge, the warm bath and the hot spa,” Mrs Randle said.

Throughout history ancient civilizations have praised the virtues of daily bathing, not only for the therapeutic and wellness benefits associated with it, but also for its cultural and social aspects.

“After identifying the Hamam as an emerging day spa trend in the United States, we decided to take advantage of the fact our two Balinese therapists had experience in working in a Turkish Hamam,” Mrs Randle said.

“So we built Australia's second Hamam - the other one is in Sydney, and I believe Chimes has the only two trained Hamam therapists in Australia.”

A large communal treatment room has been created at Chimes Day Spa, which provides services in its own right, and also creates a place for clients between treatments.

Mrs Randle said the Hamam was a fantastic addition to Chimes Day Spa’s already extensive list of treatments.

Chimes Day Spa currently have an introductory offer until the end of May. Book a Hamam session ($25) and bring a friend for free. Chimes will also tailor the Hamam treatment into three parts so clients can buy a Hamam Session and just chill out without adding the scrub and massage.

There has never been a better time to consider your financial future, according to Vicki Taylor of AU Finance in Albany in the Great Southern of Western Australia.

“Now is the right time to find the right professional advice to help you and your business reach your financial goals sooner,” Ms Taylor said.

Ms Taylor recently consolidated her expertise under the new business name of AU Finance which caters for business and personal financial requirements including tax, accounting, auditing and financial planning requirements, and has experience with all business structures including partnerships, trusts, companies and Self Managed Super Funds (SMSF).

Albany born and bred, Ms Taylor is an experienced professional with a Master of Commerce and a Diploma of Financial Services. She is a registered Tax Agent, an accredited financial planner and Fellow of the Institute of Public Accountants.

AU Finance clients can benefit from Ms Taylor’s local knowledge and extensive professional experience which includes working in government departments, small businesses, not-for-profit organisations and her own business.

“AU Finance takes pride in the high standards we maintain and wealth of knowledge and experience you, our client, can expect to receive,” she said.

“To ensure we deliver our clients quality advice, we keep up-to-date with legislation changes and with the latest business issues relating to accounting, taxation, financial services and other similar topics.

“For our commercial clients, AU Finance is committed to ensuring the success of your business. We will work with you and provide the professional advice to assist you in achieving your goals.

“When you come to AU Finance you can be assured you are talking to someone who will listen to your needs and who is able to cut through the technical jargon.”

On a personal level, Ms Taylor has long given back to the community through sponsorship of local horse and pony clubs, and has been the auditor and treasurer of many groups over the years.

The publishers of Australia’s latest digital women’s magazine say readers can expect something extraordinary when it is launched on International Women’s Day, March 8.

“We have invited experts in their fields to contribute and we know that this magazine will offer something a little different,” according to publishing editor Hayley Solich.

Golden Pen Magazine™ is a women's magazine focused around the principles of sustainability, empowerment, innovation and creativity, embracing knew technology by integrating multi-media.

“We live in a world that is rapidly changing and where we are faced daily with challenges. Golden Pen Magazine™ seeks to capture the wisdom for many aspects of life, so that we can pass it on that more people may experience true abundance,” Mrs Solich said.

"Our intention is to empower our readers in whatever way that we can. We also want to challenge people to think. It is particularly fitting we should launch the magazine on International Women’s Day, as we will be featuring so many extraordinary women and their wisdom in this issue.”

So what can you expect in this inaugural issue? Paralympian and motivational speaker Jessica Smith, shares her body image video and story; Frances Carrington, owner/designer of label Eternal Creations reveals how she is changing the landscape for Tibetan refugees and Comedian and Campaigner, Julie Gale, talks children, sex and the need for tighter regulation of advertising.

There will also be clues on how to find your flare in your home as shared by Interior Stylist, Karen Creith or discovering what your relationship with money is like as shared by Financial Educator, Christine Camp.

In all there will be 88 pages of ‘pure wisdom’ for you enjoy at your leisure from your laptop, desktop, ipad or mobile phone. Golden Pen Magazine will be portable and easy to navigate, presented in a magazine flip page reader for your convenience, with the options to print should you so desire,” Mrs Solich said.

“Subscriptions are now available. Once the magazine is launched, you will receive an email notifying you that your copy is ready for viewing. If you subscribe for 12 months you will join the exclusive Golden Pen Subscriber’s receiving extra information about our featured guests, special offers from our sponsors, and details of all our competitions, discount vouchers and prize giveaways.”

All advertising enquiries should be directed to Andrew Crawford on 0413 452 452.